This collection, titled ‘Bodice Ripper’ was inspired by a folktale of Aarne-Thompson-Uther type 955, called ‘Bobby Rag’. It tells the story of a poor girl who is stolen for marriage by a rich man, who then tries to be rid of her, resulting in retribution. The visuals collected to design are grotesque and sublime. A corporeal/immaterial dichotomy informed the processes used in this collection, and illustrate uncertainty in transitions, where violations of bodily integrity (grotesque) precipitate existence outside of corporeal limits (sublime).
My design process relies on a hand-feel, created in direct response to the body. Techniques used include draping, creating sheets of latex, applying liquid latex to fabric, silkscreen printing, laser cutting, life casting and working with resin.
